Results 1,721-1,740 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: The Deputy has asked about the extension of the reduced 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector. While elements of the hospitality sector are also important parts of the wider tourism ecosystem, as the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I do not have responsibility for the general hospitality sector. However, the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Policy (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: Absolutely. I have said here and to my colleagues that I have concerns about that knock-on impact to businesses. Some of those in the hospitality sector are under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, with whom I co-chair the tourism and hospitality forum. These are issues that will come to us in the coming weeks but I am sure he too, like myself,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Policy (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: I again commend communities the length and breadth of the country on giving that céad míle fáilte to those fleeing from such horrific circumstances. While people always have a right to peaceful protest, those fleeing such horrific circumstances also have a very much equal right to peacefully adapt to their new communities, where they are seeking refuge. On the Deputy's...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Artists' Remuneration (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: The basic income for artists, BIA, pilot scheme has been introduced following extensive consultation with the arts sector to assess how such a scheme can best support professional arts practice in Ireland. The associated research programme will capture data on all aspects of the scheme to inform future policy responses to the needs of the sector. This will include the interaction of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Artists' Remuneration (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: As I said, I assure the Deputy that the issue of disabled artists participating in the BIA scheme was and is a matter I take very seriously. Issues around the disability allowance are something my officials and I were aware of at the very outset of planning this intervention. I understand how important the social welfare payments, and issues such as medical cards, are for people with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Industry (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: The arrival of refugees from the war in Ukraine, combined with the high number of international protection applicants, has resulted in the largest humanitarian effort in the State's history. The national response to this challenge is underpinned by an all-of-government approach. As part of this effort, Ireland is now accommodating more than 83,520 people, compared with 8,300 in February...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Industry (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: My focus now is on examining whether there is a need for mitigation measures. At a senior officials group, my Department has communicated the potential challenges arising for the tourism ecosystem, particularly in the parts of the country where, as the Deputy pointed out, a high proportion of the tourism accommodation stock has been directed to humanitarian purposes. This is the largest...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Industry (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: I need to, have been and am raising my concerns about the wider tourism ecosystem, but it is only right that we give refuge to those who need it. This time last year, we were giving refuge to 8,300 people. That number is now approximately 83,500. This brings its own challenges. It is the largest humanitarian effort in the history of the State. I am considering mitigation measures that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Policy (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: The Deputy will forgive me. When I saw her question on financial supports for sustainable policies, I thought she was referring to the greening of tourism, but she is also referring to possible mitigation measures for the wider tourism ecosystem. I addressed the issue of mitigation measures when replying to Deputy Munster, so I will discuss sustainable tourism practices. The Department...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: I welcome the Budgetary Oversight Committee's Report and I would like to thank you Deputy and the other members of the Committee on the work done. Recommendation number 14 is that the Committee recommends that both my Department and the Dept. of Finance convene a stakeholder forum to discuss how to maximise the benefits of the Section 481 credit for all concerned stakeholders and to...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Events (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: The designation of events as free to air is a statutory process which provides the opportunity to designate certain events that have a special resonance or a distinct cultural importance for the country. The criteria which must be met in order to designate an event are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009 and are informed by Ireland’s obligations under EU Law. An initial round of...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 21 and 25 together. I welcome the work done by the Budgetary Oversight Committee over the past 12 months and I would like to congratulate the members on their Report. The Section 481 tax credit system is a vital part of the financial infrastructure of the audio-visual industry in Ireland. The objectives of the film tax credit are to act as a...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Legislative Measures (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: On 7 December 2022 the Government approved the priority drafting of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and publication of the General Scheme of the Bill which provides for the registration of short-term tourist lettings with Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy. On 21 December the proposed STTL Bill was...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Schemes (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: I am conscious of the challenges involved in putting on festivals, the contribution they make to the artistic and cultural life of local communities and how they make destinations more attractive to domestic and international tourists. Accordingly, my Department and the relevant agencies under its aegis support the staging of festivals. In that regard, my Department runs a Small Scale...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Promotion (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: I understand that Dublin Fruit Market is owned by Dublin City Council. Neither I, my Department nor any of its agencies has any involvement in or accountability for the market. I understand there are currently no Fáilte Ireland funding schemes that the Dublin Fruit Market would be eligible to apply for but that Fáilte Ireland could engage with Dublin City Council in any review by...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 72 together. The latest research by Fáilte Ireland shows that while recruitment is still a significant challenge for tourism businesses, the situation is improving and employers are making positive strides. The number of vacancies across the industry has fallen, from circa 40,000 at the start of 2022 to around 22,000 at present. Overall,...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: The National Famine Commemoration Committee, established in 2008, is charged with considering arrangements for the National Famine Commemoration Day. In 2018, the Government approved the designation of the third Sunday of May each year as the National Famine Commemoration Day, with the arrangements for the holding of the State commemoration on this day or the preceding Saturday, to be...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Events (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: The designation of events as free to air is a statutorily prescribed process which takes place under Part 11 of the Broadcasting Act and Article 14 of the 2010 Audio-Visual Media Services Directive. The public consultations which are undertaken are the initial steps in the process. The first consultation is complete, having had an initial four-week public consultation to identify events that...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Policy (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: As the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland’s role is to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social, cultural and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland. Tourism is of critical importance to the national economy and to regional development and employment. The development of a Wild Atlantic Way coastal path has been an ambition...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Broadcasting Sector (18 May 2023)

Catherine Martin: While sports bodies receive support from the Exchequer through Sport Ireland, it is necessary for them to generate commercial and other revenue streams to ensure that they can continue to support games and athlete development at all levels. A challenge that faces all sports bodies in this regard, is to strike the right balance between generating revenue and ensuring as wide an audience as...